Convertible swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs

ABSTRACT

A swimsuit bottom ( 1 ) convertible between a bikini style bottom and a G-string style bottom (as seen in the figure). The swimsuit bottom ( 1 ) has a waistband ( 2 ), a crotch ( 3 ), a thong ( 4 ) extending between the crotch ( 3 ) and the waistband ( 2 ), a front covering ( 5 ) extending between the waistband ( 2 ) and the crotch ( 3 ) for concealing the wearer&#39;s front lower torso, and a rear flap ( 6 ) attached to the crotch ( 3 ) and detachably attached to the waistband ( 2 ). When the rear flap ( 6 ) is attached to the waistband ( 2 ) both the thong ( 4 ) and at least part of the wearer&#39;s buttocks are concealed. When the flap ( 6 ) is detached from the waistband ( 2 ) both the thong ( 4 ) and the wearer&#39;s buttocks are revealed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs convertible to a G-string style swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs.

BACKGROUND ART

Many different styles of swimsuit bottoms and pairs of briefs are commercially available. Persons sunbathing whilst wearing a swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs may end up with visible tan lines on their buttocks or legs. The widely used method of tucking the swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs does not eliminate visible tan lines altogether and usually produces uneven tan lines. Although wearing a G-string style swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs will overcome the problem of visible tan lines on the wearer's buttocks or legs, not all persons are comfortable parading around in public in a G-string style swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs. Although a G-string style swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs could be worn beneath a more modest swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs, this may be inconvenient.

It would therefore be desirable to have a swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs that could be converted at will to a G-string style swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present inventors have now invented such a swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs, said swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs having:

a waistband;

a crotch;

a thong extending between the crotch and the waistband; and

a rear flap attached to the crotch and detachably attached to the waistband, wherein when the rear flap is attached to the waistband both the thong and at least part of the wearer's buttocks are concealed and when the flap is detached from the waistband both the thong and the wearer's buttocks can be revealed.

The rear flap can be of any suitable shape and size. The rear flap can, for example, conceal part of each buttocks or both buttocks completely. The rear flap preferably comprises a piece of fabric.

The rear flap can be tucked between the wearer's thighs when detached from the waistband. The rear flap can be further detachably attached to the crotch such that the rear flap can be removed completely.

The rear flap can be detachably attached to the waistband in any suitable way. For instance, a zipper, press studs, hook and loop type fasteners (eg. Velcro®) or string ties can be used. The rear flap can be detachably attached to the crotch as described for the waistband. If the rear flap is not detachably attached to the crotch, then it can be, for example, stitched to the crotch.

The waistband can be of any suitable shape and size. Preferably, the waistband comprises a strip or band of fabric that extends around the wearer's lower torso, eg. waist or hips.

The thong can be of any suitable shape and size, and can be attached to the waistband and crotch in any suitable way. Preferably, the thong comprises a strap or strip of fabric extending between the wearer's buttocks and is stitched to both the waistband and the crotch.

The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs can be of any suitable style. Preferably, the swimsuit bottom is a bikini style bottom. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs can be made of, for example, lycra, cotton, nylon or rayon.

Of course the swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs can have other features of known swimsuit bottoms and briefs such as a front covering extending between the waistband and the crotch for concealing the wearer's front lower torso.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a convertible swimsuit bottom according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed rear elevation view of the swimsuit bottom of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the same as FIG. 2 but with a rear flap of the swimsuit bottom detached from a waistband of the swimsuit bottom; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed rear elevation view of a convertible swimsuit bottom according to another embodiment of the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like features.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a convertible swimsuit bottom 1 having a waistband 2, a crotch 3, a thong 4 extending between the crotch 3 and the waistband 2, a front covering 5 extending between the waistband 2 and the crotch 3 for concealing the wearer's front lower torso, and a rear flap 6 attached to the crotch 3 and detachably attached to the waistband 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the rear flap 6 is attachable to the waistband 2 with string ties 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the rear flap 6 is attachable to the waistband 2 with press studs 8.

The swimsuit bottom 1 is convertible between a bikini style bottom (as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) and a G-string style bottom (as seen in FIG. 3). When the rear flap 6 is attached to the waistband 2, as seen in FIG. 2, both the thong 4 and the wearer's buttocks are concealed. When the flap 6 is detached from the waistband 2, as seen in FIG. 3, both the thong 4 and the wearer's buttocks can be revealed.

The swimsuit bottom 1 can be worn as a bikini style bottom for general parading around in public and for swimming, or the swimsuit bottom 1 can be worn as a G-string style bottom when the wearer wishes to obtain a tan. For tanning purposes, the rear flap 6 is detached and conveniently tucked and hidden between the wearer's thighs. In this way, visible tan lines on the wearer's buttocks or legs can be avoided. After tanning, the swimsuit bottom 1 can be converted back to a bikini style bottom.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. 

1. A swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs having: a waistband; a crotch; a thong extending between the crotch and the waistband; and a rear flap attached to the crotch and detachably attached to the waistband, wherein when the rear flap is attached to the waistband both the thong and at least part of the wearer's buttocks are concealed and when the flap is detached from the waistband both the thong and the wearer's buttocks can be revealed.
 2. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the rear flap is adapted to be tucked between the wearer's thighs when detached from the waistband.
 3. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the rear flap is detachably attached to the waistband with a zipper, press studs, hook and loop type fasteners or string ties.
 4. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the rear flap is further detachably attached to the crotch such that the rear flap can be removed completely.
 5. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the waistband comprises a strip or band of fabric that extends around the wearer's lower torso.
 6. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the thong comprises a strap or strip of fabric extending between the wearer's buttocks and is stitched to both the waistband and the crotch.
 7. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1 further having a front covering extending between the waistband and the crotch for concealing the wearer's front lower torso.
 8. The swimsuit bottom or pair of briefs of claim 1, wherein the swimsuit bottom is a bikini style bottom. 